Not having enough money in the bank can be the downfall of a company. Even if you have money coming in, the current cash position could be a hindrance for the daily operations of the business. If you aren’t keeping up with cash flow, then you need to talk to a financial professional as soon as possible. Here are a few small business management tips for cash flow:

Set a Schedule for Receivables

Even if you have good relationships with your clients, it can be unpredictable to know when the payments will come through. There might be times when your client is late on a payment, which causes a domino effect that hinders your cash flow.

It is important that you have clear guidelines and payment expectations for the amount due. Each invoice should include the due date for payment, such as due on receipt, due net 30, etc. This step will ensure that everyone involved is on the same page for the payment cycle.

At the same time, you also need to be sure that you are consistent with setting the schedule for when the invoices are sent. Have you found yourself too distracted by immediate tasks that need to be addressed, so you forget to put together invoices that are needed for the work that has been completed? Maintaining an invoicing schedule is necessary so that you are consistent with sending out the invoices and maintaining follow-up communication as necessary.

Manage Overhead Expenses

Often, the problem is not that you aren’t bringing in enough money. But, the issue lies in the money that is spent. If your overhead expenses are higher than the money that is coming in, then you will end up in the hole. You need to make sure that you have a clear picture of the money that needs to be received each month to break-even on the expenses that are due.

You might be surprised to see the small ways that you can reduce these overhead costs. Look for extravagant services or features that might be eliminated. For example, you might be able to adjust the landscaping services schedule to decrease the amount of money that is spent on the outdoor care of your location. Or, call around to see if you can get a cheaper business package for internet or phone services.

Sometimes, it is as simple as a phone call to your current provider to ask for a discount to remain a customer. Other times, switching service providers could save you a bundle of money on the ongoing costs.

Outsource Instead of Hire

There are times when you might need to increase your workforce to handle various services in your company. It is easy to assume that the best solution is to hire an employee with the skillset that you need. While there are times for employee hiring and workforce expansion, take a look at outsourcing options before hiring another in-house employee.

In most situations, outsourcing the services is usually cheaper compared to bringing another employee onto the payroll. You can save money on benefits and employment taxes. Plus, you don’t need to pay money for the equipment and office space that is required for the person to complete the work.

Outsourced accounting is a great example of how you can save money. If you hire an in-house accountant, then it is a significant annual expense to cover the cost of their salary, benefits, office space, and more. When your company is tight on cash flow, you probably don’t have the option to absorb these high costs.

On the other hand, it is much more affordable to choose an accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll processing company instead. These services are a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time employee. You can tap into the expertise without carrying the heavy financial burden of a larger team of employees.

Manage Your Records

Accurate bookkeeping and accounting records are essential so that you know the current cash position of the company. Not only can you see a snapshot of the immediate financial situation, but you can also see accounts receivable and anticipated payments coming in the future.

You won’t know that you are low on cash if you aren’t paying attention to the financial reports. Then, you might encounter a situation where paychecks bounce or you can’t pay the utility bills. We can’t stress this point enough: it is essential that you maintain records of all of your expenditures and income. Utilize the services of a bookkeeping company to learn more small business management tips for cash flow.

Leverage Assets

Most businesses have assets that might be of use when cash flow is tight. Do you have any furniture, electronics, or equipment that isn’t in use? Don’t let these items gather dust in the storage closet. You might be able to sell them on a local classified website to pull in the cash that is needed to pay the outstanding bills.

Something seemingly small, like an older generation smartphone, could bring in several hundred dollars. While the cash might seem insignificant, it can help to reduce the burden that you are feeling. Every little bit adds up, which is why you need to make incremental changes to your habits.

Consider Credit Options

Do you have a credit card or line of credit that can be used to cover the immediate expenses? Leveraging credit is a risky strategy if you can’t pay it back right away. The credit costs could increase the financial benefit in the future due to the payments that need to be met and the increasing interest costs.

So, be careful about the way you choose to use a company credit card. But, there are times when it might make sense if you need to get by until the end of a month when a big payment is anticipated. The best solution is to talk to your accountant or bookkeeping company to see if it makes sense to use credit as needed.

Have an Emergency Account

If you are facing cash flow problems right now, then this tip won’t help with your current situation. But, make sure to be prepared for the future: set aside the extra cash when it is available. An emergency account is essential if you face unexpected expenses or you don’t have enough to cover the overhead costs on a slow month.

Planning ahead is one of the best things that you can do to save your company. It is inevitable that your business will face cash flow problems at some point. So, you need to make sure that you are ready for the rainy days with a savings account set aside for these situations.

Scare Up Extra Business

Look at your current offerings and inventory to see if you can scare up extra business. Do you have old inventory that is sitting on a shelf? Run a sale to clear the inventory and bring in the cash that is needed. The sale will help customers feel the urgency to make a purchase. It is a win-win situation because the customers will be happy about the discounted price and you will be able to bring in the cash that is needed.

Even if you don’t have physical inventory, you can offer promotions for the services that you offer. Send an email to your customer list to offer a one-time package for the services that you provide. Or, look for ways that you can add extra services onto the packages when a customer is ready to buy from your company.

Hiring an Accounting Team to Help

One of the reasons why small businesses often face cashflow problems is because the business owner doesn’t have accounting and bookkeeping experience. Small mistakes can have a long-term impact on the financial health of the company. You don’t have to be a bookkeeping expert to ensure the success of your company. Instead, you need to hire an experienced team to oversee the details.

Hiring an accounting team will free up your time so that you can focus on solutions and problem solving for other aspects of your company. These services are essential to make sure that you are keeping up with some of the biggest payments that could influence your cash flow: payroll, inventory purchases, and taxes. Your accountant will discuss cash flow strategies so that you have money in the bank when these big expenses roll around in the future.

You can choose an accounting service in your hometown, but many people find that the offerings are limited. Instead of selecting a general accounting team, it is better to choose a company that specializes in small business accounting services. The internet has opened the doors of opportunity for you to connect with specialists located anywhere in the country.

Our team at Easier Accounting understands the best accounting and bookkeeping practices for entrepreneurs and small business owners. We’ve been using these strategies for many other companies like yours. Contact us right away to learn more about the ways that we can help with the cash flow for your business: (888) 620-0770